20/20 (1978)
ABC's landmark newsmagazine series, delivering investigative reports and human interest stories since 1978.
20/20 - Series Information
- Original Title: 20/20
- First Air Year: 1978
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Roone Arledge
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: News, Documentary
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (67 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 27
- Number of Episodes: 733
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 6, 1978 (United States - TV-14)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: 20-20 (US)
- Production Companies: ABC News
- Production Countries: United States of America
20/20 - Plot
20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6, 1978. Created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge, the show was designed similarly to CBS's 60 Minutes but focuses more on human interest stories than international and political subjects. The program's name derives from the "20/20" measurement of visual acuity. The hour-long program has been a staple on Friday evenings for much of the time since it moved to that timeslot from Thursdays in September 1987, though special editions of the program occasionally air on other nights.
20/20 - Trailer
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20/20 - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Roone Arledge
Main Cast
- Elizabeth Vargas
- Deborah Roberts
- John Quiñones
- Cynthia McFadden
- Diane Sawyer
- Lisa McRee
- Martin Bashir
- David Muir
- Amy Robach
- Harold Hayes
Executive Producers
- David Sloan
20/20 - FAQs
What is 20/20 about?
20/20 is ABC's flagship newsmagazine series that blends investigative journalism with compelling human interest stories. Since its 1978 debut, it has covered high-profile crimes, celebrity interviews, social issues, and personal triumphs, earning a reputation for accessible yet substantive long-form reporting.
How long has 20/20 been on the air?
20/20 first aired on June 6, 1978, making it one of the longest-running newsmagazine programs in American television history. With over four decades of continuous broadcasting on ABC, it has outlasted virtually every competitor in its genre.
Who are the main anchors and correspondents on 20/20?
Over the decades, 20/20 has featured prominent journalists including Diane Sawyer, David Muir, Amy Robach, Elizabeth Vargas, Cynthia McFadden, Deborah Roberts, John Quiñones, Martin Bashir, and Lisa McRee, among many other distinguished correspondents.
Is 20/20 cancelled or still airing?
20/20 is currently a returning series and remains in production. It continues to air on ABC, making it one of the few original newsmagazine programs from the 1970s still actively broadcasting new episodes today.
Where can you watch 20/20 online?
Episodes of 20/20 are available to stream on Hulu and Disney Plus via subscription, as well as on fuboTV. The series can also be purchased on Amazon Video, and select episodes are available free through Spectrum On Demand.
What is the content rating for 20/20?
20/20 carries a TV-14 content rating, indicating that some material may be unsuitable for children under 14. Given its focus on true crime, investigative reporting, and sensitive social topics, parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers.
Who created 20/20?
20/20 was created by Roone Arledge, the influential ABC News executive who also transformed ABC Sports. Arledge modeled the program after CBS's 60 Minutes but steered it toward human interest storytelling rather than strictly political or international affairs coverage.
What are shows similar to 20/20?
Viewers who enjoy 20/20 often gravitate toward comparable newsmagazine and investigative programs such as 60 Minutes, Dateline, 48 Hours, Prime Time LIVE, CBS News Sunday Morning, and Entertainment Tonight, all of which share a similar blend of journalism and storytelling.
More About 20/20
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